Club 84 Entertainment, which seeks to elevate the creative sector by offering established and budding artists a platform, opened in Blantyre recently.
The entertainment centre, whose opening was spiced up by performances from several artists including Sam Smack of the ‘Ndakudikira’ fame, has been established using funds from Copyright Society of Malawi (Cosoma) through the Copyright Fund.
The entertainment outfit took advantage of the official opening to recognise some of the players who have contributed to the growth of the arts industry in the country.
Some of the people who were recognised with certificates on the day included veteran promoter Jai Banda, popularly known as Mr Entertainer, Cosoma Executive Director Dora Makwinja, veteran musician Patrick Simakweli, Musicians Union of Malawi (Mum) former president Gloria Manong’a, veteran reggae artist Lambanie Dube, Musicians Association of Malawi (Mam) former president Costen Mapemba and broadcaster Mwakhele Kaliati.
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Banda, who has nourished the industry through Entertainers Promotions, which is now being headed by his son Tonderai, got recognised barely a week after he commended another organisation after recognising veteran musician Paul Banda for his contribution to the growth of music in the country.
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“I am thankful to Club 84 for recognising me and others for the contributions we have made to the industry. For sure, this motivates me.
“Last week, I did say, when Sir Paul Banda was being recognised, that ‘let us give our artists their flowers when they are still alive and not when they are gone’,” the veteran promoter, who was the guest of honour, said.
One of the brains behind Club 84, Khuza Rampi, who is also a musician, hailed Cosoma for creating the Copyright Fund, which, he said, had made it possible for them to create the entertainment platform.
“So many creatives are benefitting from the Copyright Fund and it is this same fund which has led to the creation of this space. We want this space to keep young people busy and refrain from bad behaviours. We want women to utilise this space or people from this area to showcase their works,” Rampi said.
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He called upon creatives to make their applications once a call for proposal is made for them to access funds for use in growing their art and also initiate projects aimed at growing the industry.
Blantyre City South legislator Noel Lipipa attended the official opening.
